Harness-coupling



(No Model.)

v A. P. (moss.

HARNESS COUPLING.

No. 274,487. Patented Mar.27,1883.

N. FETcBs. Phuhrlxkhngrlpflar, Washin ton. D. O

UNITED STA E PATENT @rrrca.

ALEXANDER P. GROSS; OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALlFORNlA.

- HARNESS-COUPLlNG.'

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 274,487, dated March27, 1883.

' Application filed December 6, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. ALEXANDER P. Gn'oss, of San Francisco, in the countyof San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Herness-Couplings; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to he ate, clear, and exact description of the invention, suchas will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to makeand use the same, reference being bad to t he accompanying drawings, andto letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to an improvement in harness-couplings, the objectof the same bein g to provide a device of this character which willcombine simplicity, neatness, and economy of construction withdurability and effioiency in use; and with these ends in view myinvention consists in certain details in construction and combinationsoi parts, as will he more fully explained, and pointed out in theclaims.

This improvement is adapted for use as a whiflietree-l1ook,for acoupling between the neck-yoke and pole, for a neck-yoke hook, and forother vehicle or harness-couplings; but for the sake of convenience Iwill describe my improvement in connection with whiffletrees.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1v is a longitudinal sectionalview, showing my improvement. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional viewthrough the line a; a; of Fig. l, and Fig. 3 is a view in perspective ofthe ferrule.

A. represents the whifiletre'e, to the opposite ends of which arerigidly secured the ferrules B. These ferrules are made of metal, andeach is provided with the outwardly-extending collar or abutment a, andwith the flange b, which latter is situated between the collar a and theouter end of the ferrule. Each flange]; is cut away or-slotted, as shownat c, to enable the thimble D to he moved into position. This thimblecan he made of any suitable metal, ornamental or not, as desired, and isprovided with the ring or loop E, to which the rear end of the trace canbe rigidly secured. This thimble D is adapted to he removed from thewhifiiletree with the trace, and my main object is to provide a couplingthat can he manufac tured at a small initial cost, and that can becoupled and uncoupled in a comparatively shortspaceof time. The thinibleD is adapted to fit snugly on the ferrule B, and is enlarged at itslarger or open end to enable it to pass over the flange b. This .ihimbleis provided at this enlarged portion with an inwardly-projecting lug, d,adapted, when the parts are together and adjusted, to hold the thimblein position on the ferrule. This lug d is of size sudieient to readilypass through the slot 0, and when it is desired to place the partstogether the thimble is placed on the, ferrule and turned thereon untilthelug passes through the slot. The thimble is then turned slightly,which movement locks the parts together.

F F are rubber or other suitable elastic gaskets, introduced,respectively, between the endfof the thimble and the collar or abutmentc of the ferrule, and in the space between the ferrule and the end ofthe thimble, and

hold the said thimble on the ferrule without movement.

hen it is desired to adjust the parts, the thimble is placed on theferrule and turned until the lug d enters the slot 0. Pressure is thenexerted on the end of the thimble, which compresses the rubber gasketsand enables the lug (Z to pass beyond the flange b. The thin)- ble isthen given a part turn and released. After the thimble is released therubber packing or gaskets press the thimble outward until the lug dbears against the flange b and holds the parts against displacement byfrictiona-l contact. To uncouple the parts it is simply necessary toturn the thimble until the lug registers with the slot, when the rubbergaskets expand and force the thimble outward. It is then removed withthe traces, and can be again coupledinthesamemannerwhendesired.

This invention, as before stated, can be applied to the ends ofneck-yokes, can be employed for securing the neck-yoke to thecarriage-pole, and in other places on a vehicle or harness where asimilar coupling is necessary.

My invention is simple in construction, is of few parts, is durable andeffective in use, and can be manufactured at a'small initial cost.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-- kets interposed at one or more pointsbetween adapted to be removably secured on the fersage of the thimble,of the thimble adapted to snugly fit the ferrule, and provided with aninwardly-projecting lug, and one or more .rub-- 15 ber gasketsinterposed between the thimble and ferrule and adapted to operate asdescribed.

In testimony that I'claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand-this22d day of November, 1882.

ALEXANDER P. GROSS.

1. The combination, with a ferrule provided with a collar or abutment,of a thimble rule, the said thimble being provided with a ring or loop,by means of which it is secured to the harness, and a rubber gasket orgasthe thimble and ferrule, and adapted to operate as described.

2. The combination, with the ferrule provided' with a collar orabutment, and afiange, the latter having a slot therein for the pas-Witnesses:

WM. H. BIRCH, J. L. FIELDS.

